obsession

[Irene Adler]

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It's not just a perfume--it's my way of life right now. I'm applying this year, and it's all I can think about: medical school, getting in, not getting in. I wake up in the morning thinking about it--it's my last thought before I go to sleep. My friends and family are sick and tired of hearing my talk about it. I used to be a very well-rounded, well-educated, basically cheerful individual with care and concern for my students and my loved ones. I've become obsessively self-centered.

Any thoughts on how to deal with this kind of emotional upheaval? Exercise? Prayer? Valium?

 

[HamOnWholeWheat]

Yeah, go follow around an ER resident for a day (a full 24hr shift). Better yet, go to a cardio/pulmonary ward at a hospital and talk to some COPD'ers. If that doesn't give you perspective, nothing will.

 

[SouthernGirl]

First of all, take a deep breath. 🙂
Try to go about your normal daily routine, focusing on what you're doing instead of thinking about med school stuff. Whenever I get sort of depressed over a rejection or whatever, I tend to want to just sit at home and mope around, which isn't a good idea. Go out with your friends. Go to the gym. Go see a movie. Enjoy being free while you can before med school starts. Have fun. Laugh at stupid stuff. It's the best stress relief.
Tell yourself that it is all going to be ok...and believe it, because it is true. You WILL end up where you are meant to be. You have done the work for the past 2 or 3 years (grades, mcat, etc.); now you just have to wait it out with patience. Focus on the positive. 😀

 

[TeinVI]

valium

 

[relatively prime]

Originally posted by HamOnWholeWheat
Yeah, go follow around an ER resident for a day (a full 24hr shift). Better yet, go to a cardio/pulmonary ward at a hospital and talk to some COPD'ers. If that doesn't give you perspective, nothing will.

What kind of advice is this? How is this going to help him/her? He/she obviously already knows he/she wants to be a doctor... and it's safe to assume that he/she has spent some time in the clinical setting. So how is spending time in an ER going to help this person be less anxious about getting into med school? What if she/he does follow a resident around and finds that he/she really enjoys her/himself... this would only make things worse b/c they'd want to get into med school that much more!

I find your post (and these kinds of posts) really annoying for the following reasons...

1) emergency medicine is only one part of a huge field... what if this person wants to be a dermotologist? Not all of medicine is high-stress, high-preasure, intense, TV-show material. In fact, probably less than half is. In terms of volume... most of medicine is treating running noses, thyroid problems, strange rashes, high blood pressure, obesity, and those everyday things...

2) What "perspective" is this person supposed to get by following around an ER resident? We all know how ridiculously hard residents work... I don't think anyone needs to follow one around to figure that out. And if you mean "perspective" as in "look this person just lost a leg... how can you be so worried about med school? at least you have two legs!" I think that's stupid. We're all aware of how bad things happen and that we should be happy to have what we have... that doesn't mean we should never be anxious about our career goals. In fact, being aware of the suffering of others and wanting to ease that pain is what drives many of us to be doctors in the first place.


To the OP... I would suggest setting a goal that has nothing to do with medicine. For example, if you like to run... say "ok, by march I want to be able to run a mile in 8 minutes" Make it something really good... something you've always wanted to be able to do that has nothing to do with medical school. Learn an art, or craft... start reading a book you've always wanted to read... something like that. Not only will it take your mind of medical school but you'll also have soething else to talk about with your family and friends. 🙂

And good luck! 😉

 

[DW]

word to what RP says...the best way to handle the application anxiety is to keep other interests active. Dont let med school admissions dominate your life 🙂

 

[AznTrojan]

how about a hobby???

 

[DrMom]

Originally posted by Irene Adler
My friends and family are sick and tired of hearing my talk about it.

Tell them to get used to it 😉 😉 because once you get in you'll talk continuously about starting med school & after you start you'll talk nonstop about what you're doing in med school! 😀

But really, do find something else you like doing (hobby, sport, reading). You'll be glad you've broadened your horizons when you are in school (you'll need the outlet!)

 

[DW]

Originally posted by Irene Adler
My friends and family are sick and tired of hearing my talk about it.

thats why you make SDN friends 😛

 

[tryingagain]

I recommend alcohol.

 

[Irene Adler]

Thank you for your kind responses.

I need a hobby.

 

[nichols195]

HAVE SOME SEX

 

[AznTrojan]

just some?

Originally posted by nichols195
HAVE SOME SEX

 

[Irene Adler]

Sex would be wonderful for getting my mind off this, except I am an unmarried Catholic--so that is not in my near future.

Apparently I DO need a hobby.

 

[Street Philosopher]

find a husband

 

[mikecwru]

Originally posted by Irene Adler
Sex would be wonderful for getting my mind off this, except I am an unmarried Catholic--so that is not in my near future.

Apparently I DO need a hobby.

Drop Catholicism.

Kennedy was Catholic. Nothing stopped him from shaggin' like a mad man. And he was married, too.

mike